WELCOME

Hello,
Welcome to my Blog! Yes, I have been in the fight of my life against Leukemia, insomnia, depression, side effects of medications, molting skin, pooping my pants and this list goes on.... however, I still love my life, and that's what this blog is about Real Life. I hope to meet others who trails have brought them closer to the Lord and molded them for the next step in God's will. In January 2011 , my family, physician, and Be the Match was featured on a Fox 5 news story about bone marrow donors and transplants. In March, I was interviewed on Atlanta and Company along with Be the Match. I was chosen to sing the national anthem at the Be the Match Run last year and will also be doing it this year, along with some other songs. My team, no thanks to me, raised over $4,000 and raised more than any other team! Please join my team this year or consider donating here at the Run those Stem cells out ! Team I was also chosen for a patient advocacy panel for the international council meeting at Be the Match in MN in November. How exciting!! I ended up not being able to attend due to the relapse. I had hoped I could help raise awareness about how easy it is to sign up to be a donor and how many people need your help! Please go to bethematch.org and sign up! I was able to have my bone marrow (same as stem cell) transplant at the end of March thanks to a 22 year old donor oversees that I hope to meet her one day. As I came up on my 6th month mark and continued to add more normal activities to our lives, I relapsed, meaning that the that the cancer had mutated and the leukemia came back. I spent 2 more weeks at Emory and some other nights here and there and now I'm on a drug from the FDA. I have a compassion waiver so I am able to get it. I have to take it day by day sometimes hour by hour. Time keeps moving and my little girl is growing up. I'm lucky that I'm getting to see it. I continue to praise God for his wonderful blessings he has shown us including my wonderful husband Jonathan, baby girl Evalyn Rose, supportive family and friend, great medical care, new readers, and the chance to make a big difference, even if that means being a Lab Rat.
God Bless You!

Please read, comment, enjoy, learn, grow, LOVE LIFE.

Most Recently I have started a booth at a local consignment store with handmade jewelry from friends, crafts, and my own art from recycled materials. It is called DAY by DAY. God was very clear with me starting this. Please look over to the right of blog and click on Day by Day to see some pictures. I'm just getting started but I am taking orders from people that I know. You will be able to personalize items, etc. I just haven't decided how I will be selling them via internet yet. But for now, the jewelry is at A Weekend A'fair in Athens, GA and will hopefully be at some stores downtown soon.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Nov. 11 Going out Funky, Pink Marble


Update for Today.... no chemo, no steroids, yes!!!! I start again on the 13th, Sat. The worse part about this morning was how annoyed I was at the fact that I was annoyed and that I couldn't just be like " whatever..... i'm free" yada yada. Again, it's all about control. At least the team understood my frustration and I'm sure will make a point to let me know the details ASAP. Well.... I'm taking that in my own hands really.... I'm meeting with my nurse... getting out my calendar.... writing it down.... and then checking each day to see if it has changed in anyway. 
         My Dad came to visit me today. He works at Coca Cola. I think that is so cool.  I don't really drink much sodas much.... but I could use one of those 8 oz glass bottles right now. Aaaaahhh. We went on a walk to look at a different part of campus and saw some really pretty buildings. Some of them looked like pink marble... not sure if there is pink marble... I should know this, I was a science teacher you know. A damn good one. I just have problems with authority so obvious school isn't the place for my hippie side. My type A side liked the stucture but since I didn't have any control over anything... that didn't help either. Then I was married with 3 children and it wasn't fair to the girls to be around children all day and have nothing left for them.  So, my Dad and I had fun and then I passed out for like 2 hours. 
         Hair: I've decided that if it is going to fall out, it is going out funky baby. I have been working on growing my hair out and trying the long rocker shag and then was going to dye it red with crazy streaks in it. Like Haily Williams from Paramore.  I've had the college hair going on for a while and it works for me but I'd figure I would try it modified. So, my step daughters, decided that it should be purple. I'm going to get it cut, dye it purple, and then laugh when it falls out. A girl I grew up with, Whitney, is going to volunteer her services here are the hospital for me. Isn't that so cool??? I really didn't want to go to the clinic salon and have to smell everything... with a mask on. Could you imagine getting your hair done with a mask on???? No way... I'm getting room service. 
         My nurse, Sukena, has been such as blessing today. We talked about the mental health field, her going back to school, and us surrendering to the Lord in the Spirt. Still planning on playing the guitar today. The director wants me to play for other people at some point. Sounds awesome.... but with a mask on.... not so awesome. I can't imagine singing with a mask on. You all know I sing LOUD.... I need air!!! I think I may coordinate a dance party in my room at some point. Well only 3 people could dance at once but we all get tired easy anyway. Dancing with a mask on.... hmmmmm.  I like my moms idea about wearing a crazy hat or a clown wig when I walking around campus.... that would be so funny. And it would make people laugh.  I just had a thought.... I need some mouth size smiley face stickers or maybe I can use a pen to draw a smile on the mask.... by God... I have something here.... imagine..... cancer patients being a to purchase masks with the designs all ready on them.... silly faces.... different colors.... words..... holy cow! 

8 comments:

  1. Hey cousin,

    Thanks for the birthday e-card! You are dealing with so much right now that I really feel silly being on the receiving end of a card.

    Your journal entries are so full of hope and positive thinking. We've really enjoyed reading them.

    We are praying for you every day.

    With much love,
    John and Elizabeth Tyndall

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  2. Just wanted to go on the record and tell you how much I love you.

    Uncle Mike
    judy warren

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  3. Hey Sweetie. Glad you're getting out. Great idea about the masks. We need to get a patent on that before somebody else grabs the idea.How about tie-dyed hair? I love you. Got my ride back & will be there to see you soon (with food!)
    judy warren

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  4. Heather


    Pink marble is quaried in Tate,GA. Granny's Dad and I laid some of it in patios. It really is pretty when mixed with regular marble.


    Granmny and I really enjoy your updates. Inotice the site will be down for a while tomorrow.


    Love Poppa

    Granny & Poppa Warren

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  5. hi heather this is walker writing to you. I am very grateful to be able to hear how your doing via emails through gary, I just wish you were doing better then what I hear. I just wanted to say that we hold you near and dear to us around here and if there's anything we can do, such as pay a visit and bring you a smoothie, let us know! your are my prayers.
    -walker
    gary andrews

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  6. Hey baby,

    I enjoyed our time together yesterday. God gave us a beautiful day so you could get out of that room. I was so proud of you. I don't care what anyone thinks of you, you are beautiful. Next time we go for a walk, I will wear a mask too. Maybe we should find a clown wig so people will really have something to look at. Evalyn is awesome. Jonathan was talking about how pretty she was and how it must have come from him. I set him straight real quick, it came from your side of the family. Ha Ha. I know its hard to believe but something wonderful will come out of all this. I know our family has gotten closer. I love you and miss you.

    Mom
    Kim Reid

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  7. morning sweetie we r all still rootin 4 u. Tell Jonathan hay.
    gary andrews

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  8. Praying for you and your family!! I know you don't know me, but I am a 9 1/2 year cancer survivor.
    benita hill

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